Music-leaf turner.



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No. 890,768. PATBNTBD JUNE 16, 1903. G. w. HENDRICKS.

MUSIC LEAP TURNER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 17,1907.

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PATENTED JUNE 16, 1908.

" G. W. HENDRICKS.

MUSIC LEAF TURNER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 17,1901.

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UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE W. HENDRICKS, OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS.

MUSIC-LEAF TURNER.

Application filed July 17, 1907.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE WI HEN DRIoKs, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Little Rock, in the county of Pulaski and State ofArkansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in MusicLeaf Turners, of which the following is a specification, reference beinghad therein to the ac companying drawing.

This invention relates to improvements in leaf turners, and particularlyto music-leaf turners.

The object of the invention is the provision.

of means for facilitating the turning of leaves.

Another object of the invention is the provision of manually-operatedmeans for mechanically turning the leaves of music, when resting upon aframe, which frame is, preferably, supported upon a piano or organ.

'lVith these and other objects in view, the invention consists ofcertain novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, aswill be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the drawings: Figure 1' is a view in elevation of a deviceconstructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is ahorizontal, sectional view of the structure depicted in Fig. 1. Fig. 3is a fragmentary, vertical, sectional view, partly shown in sideelevation, of the structure depicted in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary,perspective view of the holder-rods locking device. Fig. 5 is ahorizontal, sectional view taken on line 5, 5, Fig. 1, and looking inthe direction of the arrow. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view, in sideelevation, of one of the holdersupport ing rods. Fig. 6 is afragmentary, enlarged sectional view of one of the holder rods. Fig. 7is a fragmentary, sectional view of one of the holder-rods and showingthe sheet attaching means. Fig. 8 is a view, in elevation, of anotherembodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary, sectionalview partly in side elevation of the structure depicted in Fig. 8, andlooking at the end thereof. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one of thelocking bars depicted in Figs. 8 and. 9. Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view,in side elevation, of another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 7, 1 designates the frame having a back 2, andwithin frame 1,

there is, preferably, positioned a block or Specification of LettersPatent.

Patented June 16, 1908.

Serial No. 384,183.

other suitable support 3, for the purpose hereinafter specified;

A plurality of holder-supporting rods 4, 5, and 6 are journaled at thelower ends in a bearing 7, and at their upper ends in a bearing 8. Eachholder-rod comprises an upper and lower section, the lower section,preferably, provided with a squared tenon or tongue 9, and the uppersection is provided, preferably, with a squared recess or compartment10, into which fits the tongue or tenon 9, see

Fig. 6. By means of this sectional structure, the sections of the rodsare fixedly secured together against independent, rotary movement,although the upper sections of the rods can be quickly detached from theframe 1 and the back 2, when it is desired to entirely remove the same.Byreason of this detachable structure of the upper sections of theholderrods, said sections can be removed and the music or other sheetsor leaves placed against the back and turned by the hand of theoperator. It will be obvious that the frame and back can be madeornamental, and attached, by any suitable means, direct to a piano,organ, or other instrument.

Each holder-rod is provided with a laterally-extending arm 11, andfixedly secured, preferably, by rivets 12, to the arm 11, near the rod,is, preferably, a flat spring 13, between which spring and arm 8, asheet may be easily placed, and, owing to the resiliency of arm 13, saidsheet will be held securely in position. It will be noted that by reasonof the arms 11 extending beyond the outer end of the spring 13, each armextends a considerable distance across a sheet, so that in turning thesheet, the action of the rod, in operation, will cause the horizontalarms 1 1 to bear against approximately the entire back of the sheet, andthereby easily turn the same.

In the preferred structure of the present invention, as illustrated inFig. 1, the rod 4 is provided with a horizontal finger 14, which isformed by bending parallel portions of the rod; at the outer end of thefinger 14, there is formed, preferably, a loop 15. The rod 5 is providedwith a downwardly-curved finger 14, and the rod 6 is also provided witha downwardly-curved finger 14. Each finger 14 is formed substantiallythe same as the finger 14, because it will be noted that these fingers14 are formed from two parallel, integral portions of the rod, in eachinstance, and at the outer, lower end is formed loop 15.

Connected at one end to each loop 15, is, preferably, a coil spring 16,while at the opposite end, each spring is attached to, preferably, alooped member or hook 17, whereby each finger is provided with meansnormally exerting a pull towards, preferably, the left end of theframe 1. It is also to be noted that the lower, outer end of each finger14 and. 14 is positioned in substantially the same horizontal plane, sothat the lower, outer end of each finger can ride under the curved,outer end 18 of the catch 19 the catch is provided with a verticalportion 20, constituting a stop, for locking the fingers in theirparallel position, as seen in Fig. 1. The catch 19 is pivotally mountedupon the inner face of block or support 3, and is provided with asubstantially U-shaped portion. 21, for preventing the catch fromswinging too far up, although its pivotal movement is sufiicient forpermitting the fingers to pass under portion 18, either when they aremoved to a locked position behind the stop or vertical portion 20, orwhen each is separately released for permitting spring 16 to draw thefinger around to the left side of the frame, and thereby rotate theholding-rod. The latch for actuating the catch comprises, preferably, arod 22, secured at 23, upon, preferably, the top of the block 3, and.said rod is provided at its outer end with, preferably, a right-angledextension 24, to which is attached a coil spring or flexible member 25;the flexible member 25 being secured at its upper end to said extension24, and at its lower end to any suitable means, as for instance, staple26, for attaching its lower end to the frame, whereby a downward pull isexerted upon the extension 24 at all times, for holding the plunger 26in a raised position; the plunger 26 being pivotally mounted upon asubstantially U-shaped loop portion 27 of the rod. The U-shaped portion27 is provi ded with an extended, outer end 28, which outer end isprovided with a right-angled ex tension. 29. The right-angled extension29 is positioned under portion 18 of the catch, and when said rod. 22 isrotated for lifting the catch, the plunger 26 will move downward, forthe purpose hereinafter specified. The

rod 22 is actuated through the medium of a pivoted. finger bar or button30, which button is provided with a link 31. The upper end of link 31.is, preferably, bifurcated, as at 32, and in this bifurcated portion ispositioned a horizontal extension 33 of the rod 22.

It will be noted that when the outer end of the pivoted finger bar orbutton 30 is pressed down, the rod will be rotated, consequently,raising the end 29 and the outer portion 18 of the rod, therebyreleasing the finger of the holder-rod, pressing against the stoporlatchportion 20, which in the present instance, is the finger 14,formed upon holder-rod 6. Synchronously with the releasing of one of thefingers, the plunger 26, working in the eye 34, formed upon bolt 35(which bolt is secured to one end of block 3) will be moved down,causing its lower end to be placed in front of the next lingercontiguous to the stop 20, constituting a notch, of the catch, therebypreventing the next or second linger from passing beyond, the iatchuntil the latch is again operated by pressing down on the outer end ofthe finger-bar or button 30. While all of the fingers may be placed, atapproximately the same time behind the stop or vertical portion 20 ofthe catch, still, owing to my peculiar structure, only one of theholder-rods is permitted to rotate for turning the sheet, as theoperator desires.

It is to be noted. that each holder-rod is bent longitudinally, at 36,opposite to the arms 11 and springs 13, carried by the other holder-rod,so that when all of the arms 11 are turned to one side of theholder-rods, Fig. 1, or when part are turned to upon one side and partare upon. the other, they will 1 i all placed in substantially the sametransverse vertical plane, Fig. 5, so that the music will be heldapparently snug and ll at against the back or rack 2.

In Figs. 8 to 10, the embodiment is substantially the same, except asnoted in the following description: Each holder-rod 37 is provided witha horizontal linger 38. vFiach linger 38 is formed by placing portionsof the rod parallel, as with the en'ibodimcnt depicted in Fig. 1.. Tothe loop 39 of each linger 38 is connected one end of a spring orflexible member 40. The opposite end is connected to the frame or rack.Thes 2 springs perform the same function as springs 16. The catch orlocking-bars in the 6111l)0(l11l'1(.1]l; depicted in. Fig. 9 are eachprovided with a body portion 41, and at one end of the body portion,there is formed a hook 19, which is provided with a notch 20. The notch26 is adapted to engage a finger, and hold the same until thesubstantially U-shaped portion 33 is moved upward by link 31, wherebythe finger will be released, and, owing to the tension on the spring,said finger will be drawn towards, preferably, the left-hand end of theframe, and the holder-rod will be rotated. l have, preferably, shownweights 42 carried by the bent portion 33 for holding the catches orlooking bars in an operative )()Sil'il()11, whereas in the embodimentdepicted in Fig. 1, I have shown spring 25 for perforn'iing thisfunction. Each weight 42 is provided with a hook 13 at one end, and itsopposite end is provided with a hook 44. The hook 44 is not aspronounced as hook 43, so that the weight 4-4 can be lifted off of thecatch or locking-bar first at the end provided with book 4 andsubsequently'can be lifted off of the bar at the end provided with hook42- By in ans of these hooks, the weight will be normally and securelyfastened on the catch or looking bar. The locking-bars are supported atportions 33, by means of a step-structure 45, for preventing the barsfrom pivoting too far downward. The step-structure 15 is formed,preferably of a wire or rod, bent, as clearly shown in Fig. 8, eachlocking-bar engaging one of the steps of this structure 41-5. Eachlocking-bar or catch is pivotally mounted upon the frame by means of,preferably staIples 46.

employ a separate finger or button 30 and link 31, for actuating eachcatch or locking bar, Fig. 8, whereas with the embodiment in Fig. 1, asingle finger or button will control actuation of the means forpermitting rotation of the holder-rods, and consequently, the turning ofthe leaves or sheets.

Referring to Fig. 11, the extension 33 of rod 22 is placed in anelevated position with respect to the block 3, and attached to theextension 33 is a link 33 which link is, pref erably, connected to thelower end of a bellcrank lever 33 carried by a fixed support 33*.

lonnected to the bell-crank lever 33 is a vertical rod 33 which is alsoconnected to the foot lever 33'. The foot-lever 33 is nor mally pressedupward near its outer end, engaged by the operator, by means of,preferably, a spring 33 whereby, when the foot lever is pressed downwardby the operator, the bell-crank lever will be actuated for drawinginward on the extension 33*, and thus actuating the rod 22, whereby thecatch is operated for releasing one of the holders, as hereinbeforedescribed. It will, therefore, be noted that I have provided means, extending through the back of the instrument and actuated by the foot ofthe operator or player, so that the hands of the player need not be usedfor actuating my leaf-turner.

What I claim is:

1. In a leaf turner, the combination with a support, of aholder-supporting rod provided with a finger, carried by said support,said finger comprising parallel portions terminating at their outer endsin a loop or eye, flexible means connected to said loop and to saidsupport, for normally exerting a pull upon said holder-supporting rod,and a catch provided with a hook or stop engaging said finger forholding said holder-supporting rod in an adjusted position, and meansfor actuating said catch for releasing said finger.

2. In a leaf-turner, the combination with a support, of a rod providedwith a finger and carrying a leaf holder, pivotally mounted upon saidsupport, of a catch carried by and being capable of rotary movement uponsaid support and normally engaging said finger, said catch provided witha stop or vertical portion formed thereon, the stop normally engaged bythe finger when said rod is in an adjusted position, and means forimparting rotary movement to said catch for releasing said finger.

3. In'a leaf turner, the combination with a support, of a sectional rodcarried by said support, one of the sections of said rod provided with asquared tenon and the other section provided with a squared recess orsocket, the tenon adapted to fit into said recess, means for turningsaid rod, and means for locking said rod in an adjusted position.

4. In a leaf turner, the combination of a pivotally-mounted, verticalrod, a horizontal arm secured at its inner end to said rod, a flatspring secured near its inner end to said. arm and extending paralleltherewith, where by a sheet or page can be inserted or secured betweensaid arm and spring, and means for holding said rod in an adjustedposition and automatically rotating the same.

5. In a leaf turner, the combination of a frame and a back, a bearingcarried by said frame, a bearing carried by said back, a rod journaledat its lower end in the bearing of said frame and at its upper end inthe bearing of said back, said rod comprising an upper and a lowersection, the top of the lower section and the bottom of the uppersection terminating contiguous to the top of said frame, means forsecuring said sections against independent, rotary movement,sheet-securing means attached to the rod above said frame, meanspositioned within said frame for holding said rod in an adjustedposition, and means adapted to automatically rotate said rod for bodilymoving said sheet-securing means.

6. In a leaf turner, the combination with a support, of sheet-supportingand turning means carried by said support, a locking-device for holdingsaid sheet-supporting means in an adjusted position, said locking-devicecomprising a catch, a swinging latch cooperating with said catch foractuating the same, a sliding plunger attached to said latch and adaptedto permit movement of only one of said sheet-supporting and turningmeans, means for guiding said plunger in its movement, and means foractuating said latch whereby said plunger and catch are synchronouslyactuated.

7. In a music-leaf turner, the combination with a support, of a rodcarried by said support and carrying a leaf holder, said rod providedwith a finger, a catch pivotally mounted upon said support and adaptedto be engaged by said finger and to secure said holdersupporting rod inan adjusted position, a latch cooperating with said catch for releasingthe finger, said latch comprising a rotatable rod, and said rod providedwith means engaging said catch for raising the same when rotary movementis imparted to said rod.

8. In a music-leaf turner, the combination with a support, of asectional rod carried by said support, means for securing the sectionsof said rod together against independent rotary movement, means forattaching a sheet to one of the sections of said rod, the other sectionof said rod provided with a finger, a catch provided with a notch, thefinger adapted to engage said notch for retaining the rod in an adjustedposition, and. means for raising said catch and releasing said finger.

9. In a music-leaf turner, the combination with a support, a rackcarried by said support, of a plurality of vertical rods carried by saidsupport and positioned in a plane-parallel with the rack, each rodprovided with a bent portion, sheet-supporting means positioned in thebent portions, each supporting means secured near one end to a rod,means for holding said rods in an adjusted position, and means forsuccessively releasing said. rods.

10. In a music-leaf turner, the combination with a support, of arotatable rod carried by said support, said rod comprising an upper anda lower section, means for securing said sections against independentrotary movement, sheet attaching and holding means secured to the uppersection, means cooperating With the lower section for holding said rodin an adjusted position, and means for releasing said rod and.permitting the same to rotat 11. In a music-leaf turner, the combinationwith a support, of sheet-securing and turning means carried by saidsupport, a catch for holding said sheet-securing and turning means in anadjusted position, a latch for lifting said catch and releasing saidsheet-securing and turning means, said latch comprising a rotatable rodprovided. with a portion disposed at right-angles to and in. en.-gagement with said catch, and means for rotating said rod for liftingsaid catch.

12. In a leaf turner, the combination of a plurality of sheet-securingand turningmcans, of a catch for securing said. sheet-securing means inan adjusted position, a latch for lifting said catch, said latchcomprising a rod provided with a pair of angularly-disposed portions,one of said angularly-disposed portions engaging said catch, a slidingplunger pivotally connected to the other an gularly-disposed portion, aguide, said plunger slidably mounted in said guide, and means forrotating said rodv for syi'lchronously actuating said plunger and saidcatch.

13. In a music-leaf turner, the combination with a support, of a rodcarried by said support carrying a leaf holder, said rod provided with alaterally-extending finger, a rotatably-mounted catch provided with anotch or stop carried by said support, the finger adapted to engage saidnotch or stop for securing said rod in an adjusted position, and arotatable rod provided. with an extension engaging said. catch, wherebywhen said rod is rotated, said catch will be rotated for releasing saidfinger.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

GEORGE W. HENDRICKS.

IVitnesses A. L. PA'rToN, TAYLOR J. DOWNER.

